Page 77 of What I Needed

For the next thirty minutes, I shared everything Marveya shared with me. Erissa asked questions, most of which I didn’t have the answers to, and probably never would.

“This is so sad, River. The worst I thought was that Rivvy’s mother was going through something and might come back for her once she got herself together. I never imagined it was something like this.”

“Yeah. Nothing like this ever crossed my mind either. I feel kinda fucked up that I don’t remember her. I keep thinking about what I’ll tell Rivvy about her when she’s old enough.”

“Thankfully, you have time to figure that out.”

“Do you realize she’s going to believe you’re her biological mother?” I asked.

“I’ve thought about that. If me and you last long⁠—”

“Erissa, I’m not trying to hear all that bullshit right now. We’re in a good space, baby. Are you okay with her thinking you’re her biological mother?”

“I am. I’m actually honored.”

“Will you be okay with her knowing the truth at some point?”

“Absolutely. I think she has a right to know.”

“Thank you for being so understanding.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Can you do one more thing for me?” I asked as I reached between us and moved the crotch of her shorts to the side with one hand and grabbed the front of her neck with the other.

“What’s that?”

“Ride this dick.”

A few days later, I was preparing to leave for the first regular-season away game. I’d traveled for a few preseason games, so this wasn’t the first time I had to be gone overnight, but for some reason, Erissa was extra emotional.

“Baby, we have a whole season of this. You can’t cry like this every time,” I told her.

She’d been glued to my side all morning, and the closer it got to the time I was set to leave, the more emotional she became.

“I know, but I can’t help it. I’m so sad about you leaving.”

“Is it because you still don’t trust me?”

I thought we’d gotten over her lack of trust, but I had to ask.

“No. I’m not worried about that.”

“Then what’s the problem, baby?”

“It can’t just be that I’ll miss you?”

She was standing in front of me, looking up at me with sad, teary eyes. I wrapped her in a hug, using one hand to caress the back of her head while she buried her face in my chest.

“I’ll be back tomorrow night. Why don’t you see if Shakira will come over and spend the night?”

“Okay.”

We remained in that position for a few minutes before I released her.

“You gon’ walk me out?” I asked.

“No. I think I’ll take a nap. Rivvy will probably be asleep for thirty more minutes.”